Two entrepreneurs in the Fleet area in Hampshire have capitalised on the demand for late-night booze with a new service delivering chilled beer and snacks direct to people’s homes throughout the night.

Dial 4 Beer, which began trading in the Fleet area seven weeks ago, is registered with Companies House and licensed to sell alcohol, operating until 1am weekdays and 5am at weekends. Booze, snacks and cigarettes are bought from local wholesalers, stored at a small warehouse full of chillers and delivered in three vans.

Director Rob Wells, who set up the business with former schoolfriend Mick Randle, said: “One evening while having a drink we ran out of alcohol and I am sure like many before us, we thought wouldn’t it be great if we could have beer delivered. Ten months later here we are.”

There is no competition to speak of, he adds. “We have only managed to find one other person in the UK who operates as we do, and he is in Leeds - although I have heard stories of illegal traders in university towns.”

Although trade was initially driven by late night drinkers looking for more alcohol after the pubs and clubs had closed, orders are now coming from a broader spectrum of clients, said Wells, who has received orders from as far afield as Basingstoke, London, Guildford and Woking.

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